4 new charges for driver in SXSW crash

By Mike Ward |
April 18, 2014
| Updated: April 19, 2014 9:24am

Rashad Owens is accused of running down a crowd of people at the South by Southwest music festival.

Photo By Rodolfo Gonzalez/Associated Press

Flowers placed against a utility pole near the scene where 2 people were killed and 23 others injured when a motorist fleeing police drove his car through a crowd of pedestrians near Mohawks during SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, March 13, 2014. The driver, identified as Rashad Charjuan Owens, 21, of Killeen, was taken into custody will face capital murder charges.

Photo By Jay Janner/Associated Press

A man directs an ambulance to a man who was struck by a vehicle on Red River Street in downtown Austin, Texas, during SXSW, March 12. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)

The scene on Red River on Wednesday night (Photos by Josh Martinez)

The scene on Red River on Wednesday night (Photos by Josh Martinez)

The scene on Red River on Wednesday night (Photos by Josh Martinez)

Photo By Jay Janner/AP

Bystanders tend to a man who was struck by a vehicle on Red River Street in downtown Austin, Texas, during SXSW on Wednesday March 12, 2014. Police say two people were confirmed dead at the scene after a car drove through temporary barricades set up for the South By Southwest festival and struck a crowd of pedestrians.

Photo By Jay Janner/AP

A bystander and a police officer tend to a man who was struck by a vehicle on Red River Street in downtown Austin, Texas, at SXSW on Wednesday March 12, 2014. Police say a man and woman have been killed after a suspected drunken driver fleeing from arrest crashed through barricades set up for the South By Southwest festival and struck the pair and others on a crowded street.

Photo By Colin Kerrigan/AP

Bystanders assist first responders at the scene at SXSW festival in Austin, TX early Thursday morning March 13, 2014 where 2 people died and dozens more were injured after a hit and run. Police say a man and woman have been killed after a drunken driver fleeing from arrest crashed through barricades set up for the South By Southwest festival and struck the pair and others on a crowded street.

Photo By Jay Janner/Associated Press

People are treated after being struck by a vehicle on Red River Street in downtown Austin, Texas, on Wednesday March 12, 2014. Police say two people were confirmed dead at the scene after a car drove through temporary barricades set up for the South By Southwest festival and struck a crowd of pedestrians. The condition of the victims shown is unknown.

Photo By Jay Janner/Associated Press

Bystanders and paramedics tend to a person who was struck by a vehicle on Red River Street in downtown Austin, Texas, at SXSW on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Police say a man and woman have been killed after a suspected drunken driver fleeing from arrest crashed through barricades set up for the South By Southwest festival and struck the pair and others on a crowded street.

AUSTIN - Four additional assault charges were filed Friday against the aspiring rapper accused of running down a crowd of early-morning revelers at the South by Southwest music festival in March.

Authorities said Rashad Charjuan Owens, 21, of Killeen, was charged with four additional counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon ­- adding to two counts of capital murder and 20 other assault charges filed earlier.

Four people were killed and at least two dozen others were injured March 13 when Owens drove through barricades and into a street crowd outside the Mohawk club in downtown Austin, according to the charges. Police allege he was driving drunk and was fleeing an officer who had tried to stop him at a nearby gas station.

Prosecutors said Owens' bail of $5 million would be raised by $500,000 as a result of the new charges.

The new charges stem from severe injuries sustained by Liberty Hill High School student Mason Endres, 18, and three others who suffered concussions, lacerations and serious bruises. The earlier charges against Owens alleged he caused injuries to 20 others ranging from brain and internal juries to cracked vertebrae and bone fractures, according to authorities.